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Anyone in Information Technology (IT) that has had to deal with a stubborn HP server has thought of taking the server out behind the woodshed and putting an end to it. Those crazy kids at HP have decided that an HP StorageWorks XP12000 disk array should be able to take a bullet and keep on ticking. The test involves a fridge sized server, a specially mounted rifle, and a .308-caliber bullet traveling 2,900 feet per second. HP’s engineers mandate that the array should be able to continue streaming video after a bullet passes completely through the disk array and shatters a fish tank behind the XP.

“Our engineers told me that you could wipe out an entire side of the array and the HP StorageWorks XP12000 Disk Array would keep working,” says Scott Edwards, XP product marketing manager.

POV uses LED lights on a spinning device to create an image. There have been several devices recently that demonstrate this technology, but none as awesome as the do it yourself SpokePOV kit. Basically, SpokePOV turns the wheels of your bike into fancy LED displays. The kit comes with all of the parts needed including a circuit board, electronics, 60 bright LEDs (30 for each side of the wheel), and 1K of memory (enough for one static image). The memory can be upgraded to 4K for use in an animated display. The documentation appears to be quite good and even a beginner should be able to complete this project. The kit retails for $37.50 here.

We have all been there when driving to an unknown home late at night. Most house numbers are hard to see in the dark. Matterinc has set out to change that with new solar LED address numbers. Each number is laser cut out of anodized aluminum. The solar arrays on top of each number provide power to the included batteries, and two white LEDs shine in the darkess, lighting the number below. On a full solar charge, the LEDs provide eight to ten hours of light - enough to last a full night just about anywhere. Matterinc recommends placing the device in full sunlight for best results. The numbers are available in either black or silver, and are viewable up to 40 feet away. They retail for $17.99 USD and come with all of the necessary hardware for mounting.

Plextor has just announced the availability of their new PX-SP portable hard drives which are supposedly shock proof. A new silicon cover prevents the drive from crashing and losing data if dropped. The new drives come in 80GB (PX-SP08U), and 120GB (PX-SP12U) sizes, and are said to support Windows and Mac operating systems, but our guess is that they should also work under Linux. A quick start guide, USB cable, and the silicon jacket are included with purchase. While we have our doubts on how well a silicon jacket will protect a drive from the shock of being dropped, it is nice to see some new ideas from Plextor. Expect to pay more for the added protection, the drives retail for $169 (80GB) and $260 (120GB).

“Plextor is rapidly expanding its data storage product line to include innovative devices such as the new PX-SP shock proof portable hard drives,” said Michael Arbisi, Vice President, Channel Sales for Plextor, in a statement. “Our goal is to give customers a wide range of options for dependably and securely storing their valuable data, whether at home or at the office. Like all Plextor products, the PX-SP Series drives are designed and manufactured to the highest levels of quality and reliability.”

For anyone constantly on the go, we know that doing laundry can get in the way. Apparently, Astone knows that as well, as they are set to start selling this portable washing machine this June. Weighing in at about four-and-a-half pounds, this puppy can hold up to 1.7 gallons of water once it’s inflated. The word is that it will do everything a standard washing machine can do, just at a much smaller scale. At $70 USD, it doesn’t sound like too bad a deal.

Okay, we admit that we have told ourselves that we had the best seat in the house when we were relegated to catching sports on our in-house TV when we didn’t have tickets to the game. However, those in Miami can no longer make that excuse for themselves, as Dolphin Stadium is now the home of the world’s largest HDTV. Season ticket holders got a first-look at the new setup, which consists of two large high-definition displays, one of which measures 1750-inches. Nice job, even if the Dolphins are performing badly, you just know that guys will pay just for the pleasure of checking out the game on the ultimate big screen.

Curious as to how much power you use throughout your home? Do family members traipse through the house, flipping on light switches and leaving a blazing trail of wasted energy in their wake? If so, maybe the Wattson can help educate them as to the tangible change in power usage when electrical items are left on (or off as the case may be). Wattson delivers the information in numerical and non-verbal modes, and can also be connected to your computer for charting energy usage over time and sharing the data with a community of Wattson users.

The numerical display shows you exactly how much power your home is using at that very moment, and can display the result as an annual monetary cost, or in watts. This mode can help demonstrate what the real impact is of high-wattage bulbs instead of energy saving fluorescents, or how much power (and money) your SLI-equipped gaming rig really consumes. The non-verbal method uses colored lights and patterns to display the changing status of power consumption, and is useful for children and as a “quick glance” status indicator.

The Wattson device itself is wireless, and receives information from a sensor that is installed near the electrical panel in your home. The sensor is said to be easy to install, “with no need for any expert knowledge or assistance”, although the company does offer installation services.

Built to order, the £350 (~ $610 USD) device requires 8 weeks prior to shipping and is currently available only in the UK.

The iAlertU is like a car alarm, but for your MacBook Pro. The product uses an IR remote, special software for your Mac and the MacBook Pro’s built-in motion sensor. Basically, you arm your MacBook by pressing a button on the remote, and the computer chirps twice to notify you the alarm is armed. If a would be thief comes along and attempts to tamper with - or take - your MacBook, the alarm goes off. Not only is the alarm pretty loud, the screen flashes too! The alarm can’t be disabled without a special pass code or the IR remote (or, perhaps, turning the Mac off?). While there is currently no pricing set, you can check out a video of the product in action above.

It seems that even though digital reading devices have not gained popularity since the inception of the e-text, Sony is willing to give eBooks another chance. The Sony Reader PRS-500 will debut in Borders and more than 30 Sony Style stores around the United States, as well as online. The device will be about the size of a paperback novel, but is considerably thinner at about a half inch thick. Sony will allow users to carry as much reading material as they like by including both Memory Stick and Secure Digital flash memory slots. Content will not be limited to only eBooks either - Sony plans on allowing Adobe® PDF documents, BBeB Books, and other text file formats to be placed on the Reader. These electronic reading devices have historically not been very popular, but perhaps this time around Sony will get it right.